Page 54 of Duke of Silver
Elizabeth’s blush deepened, her cheeks warming under her cousin’s scrutiny. She couldn’t deny the effect Alexander had on her—his presence, his touch, even the sound of his voice could stir something within her that she struggled to understand. But it wasn’t the easy affection of a well-settled marriage; it was something more complicated, more uncertain.
Perhaps, she thought, if she and Alexander shared a true marriage, she wouldn’t react so strongly to him. But theirs was an arrangement, a partnership formed out of necessity rather than love, and the thought of that reality made her feel strangely inadequate. It was a sharp reminder that, despite the moments of connection they had shared, there was still a distance between them that she wasn’t sure they would ever truly bridge.
“Oh, and Lizzy dear,” Anna said suddenly, breaking into her thoughts. “Do not tell Aunt Petunia or Papa that I mentioned the rumors. They didn’t want you troubled by everything and would have my head if they knew I had gone against their wishes.”
Elizabeth nodded, understanding the delicate balance her cousin was trying to maintain. “Oh, I have no intentions of telling anyone about our conversation,” she reassured her, hervoice steady. “Thank you, Anna. I wouldn’t have wanted to be kept in the dark about it all,” she added, her gratitude sincere.
Anna smiled, her relief evident. “I knew you would understand,” she said, her tone softening. “But do take care of yourself, Lizzy. And know that we are here for you, whatever happens.”
Elizabeth felt a swell of affection for her cousin, her heart warming at the support and loyalty that shone in Anna’s eyes. She stood and embraced Anna, holding her close for a moment longer than usual. “I shall call upon the house and personally tell Uncle about the Duke’s dinner invitation,” she promised. “In the meantime, send him my warmest regards.”
“Of course,” Anna replied, her voice touched with emotion as she returned the embrace.
Elizabeth then turned to her aunt and younger sister, gathering them into a warm hug as well. “I have missed you all so dearly,” she whispered, her voice thick with the emotion she had been holding back.
“And we, you,” Aunt Petunia replied softly, squeezing her hand before pulling back to look at her with a gentle smile.
Elizabeth watched as her family departed, the solitude of the house settling around her like a heavy cloak.
Later that night, Elizabeth found herself staring up at the ceiling, sleep elusive as her mind replayed her conversation withAnna. The weight of the rumors, the concerns for her family, and the complexities of her marriage swirled in her thoughts, refusing to be quieted. Finally, unable to bear the stillness of her bedchamber, she slipped out of bed and donned her dressing gown, the cool fabric brushing against her skin as she tied it securely around her waist.
With a candle in hand, she ventured out into the silent hallways of her new townhouse, the soft glow casting flickering shadows on the walls. The house, though elegantly furnished, still felt unfamiliar, its vastness amplifying her sense of isolation. She wandered aimlessly, her slippered feet making barely a sound on the polished floors as she acquainted herself with the rooms.
It was during this quiet exploration that she stumbled upon a curious room. At first glance, it appeared to be just another guest chamber, but as she stepped inside and her candlelight revealed more, she realized there was something different about this space.
Personal items were scattered about—a collection of dolls, papers with a young girl’s scrawls on them, and a name written in a childish hand:Eleanor. Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat as realization dawned. This must have been Alexander’s sister’s room, preserved just as it had been when she was alive.
What struck Elizabeth most was how untouched everything seemed, as though the room’s owner might return at any moment. The wardrobe was filled with clothes, the dolls on the bed sat neatly arranged as if waiting for playtime, and on the escritoire, an inkpot was still full, a quill poised in its stand.There was even a faint scent of lavender in the air, delicate and lingering, adding to the eerie sense of presence in the otherwise empty room.
Elizabeth’s heart ached as she approached the bed, her fingers lightly brushing one of the dolls. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for the little girl who had once filled this room with life and laughter, and for the brothers who still mourned her loss. She picked up the doll, cradling it in her hands, the soft fabric worn from use. The emotions stirred within her—a mix of sadness for the sister she had never known and a deeper sympathy for Alexander, who had clearly kept this room as a shrine to his sister’s memory.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the quiet, sharp and filled with unexpected anger. “What are you doing in here?"
Elizabeth startled, the doll slipping from her hands and falling to the floor with a soft thud. She turned swiftly, her eyes widening as she saw Alexander standing in the doorway, his expression etched with displeasure. Even in the dim light of her candle, she could see the hard lines of his face, the anger that simmered just beneath the surface.
“I couldn’t sleep. I came across the room...” she began, her voice tentative, unsure of how to explain her intrusion. She could feel the tension radiating from him, the air thick with the unspoken.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” he said, his tone curt, leaving no room for discussion.
Elizabeth nodded, the weight of his disapproval heavy on her chest. She hesitated for a moment, wanting to say more, to ask the hundred questions that had sprung to her mind the moment she entered the room. But the rigid set of his shoulders, the tightness of his jaw, told her now was not the time. She turned on her heels and quickly left the room, feeling his gaze bore into her back as she stepped out into the hallway.
Just as she exited, a faint sound reached her ears—a gasp, quickly followed by the hurried sound of footsteps retreating down the corridor. Elizabeth paused, her heart quickening as she turned the corner, but the hallway was empty.
Curious, she thought, a cold shiver running down her spine.
CHAPTER 24
“Alovely surprise to have you back in Town before the next social season,” Colin teased as he strolled into Alexander’s study, a grin lighting up his features.
“Ah, we got bored of the country,” Alexander replied with a laugh, though the sound felt hollow even to his own ears.
“Unbelievable,” Colin chortled, shaking his head. But then he caught the shift in Alexander’s expression, the way the lightness faded, replaced by something heavier, more troubled. “If only it were that simple,” Alexander sighed, his voice betraying the weight that had settled on his shoulders.
“This is about those rumors, is it not?” Colin’s tone grew serious, matching the mood of the room as he took a seat opposite Alexander.
“We returned to see the extent of the damage. And, hopefully, to find a way to salvage the situation before it gets completely outof hand,” Alexander admitted, running a hand through his hair in a gesture that betrayed his frustration.
Colin’s face hardened with concern. “I will not make this falsely pretty for you, man,” he began. “But I was at White’s, and that is all they could talk about. The ‘Sterlin affair,’ it’s being called now.”
